Electrophysiological Effect of Acupuncture in the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Case

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy and occurs as a result of compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel at the wrist. The classic symptom in patients with CTS is paresthesia (numbness, burning, tingling) and pain in the median nerve distribution area of the hand, especially at night. A 24-year-old female patient presented to GETAT polk with the diagnosis of mild carpal tunnel syndrome after examination and EMG after the complaint of numb tingling in the hand in the neurology outpatient clinic. The patient was using Parkyn (pramipexole dihydrochloride monohydrate) 25mg. Acupuncture was applied to the patient for 10 sessions. Disposable sterile acupuncture needles were applied to the PC-6, H-7, LU-9, H-7, SI-3 points (0.22x13mm, 0.22x1.5mm Hua Long). The sessions lasted 20 minutes. The sessions were done first twice a week, then once a week. The patient was prescribed Vitamin B1 + B6 supplements. After 10 sessions of acupuncture, the EMG was repeated. The EMG result of the patient was normal. Parkyn was cut by neurology, Lyrica (pregabalin) was switched to 150mg. The patient's need for medication was also reduced.